PERENNIAL PHLOXES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18500, 22 February 1930, Page 14 (Supplement)

PERENNIAL PHLOXES.

One needs to see the plants in flower in a nursery before ordering new varieties, for some of the colours are hard to place, especially in a mixed border, and there are many lovely ones among them (says the “Dominion’s” gardening contributor). In some the colours are soft and dainty; in others they are vivid. Baron van Dedem, which is brilliant orange scarlet, and Flambeau (orange flame) are among the latter. Bismarck, with soft pink flowers, Elizabeth Campbell, with rosy salmon

ones, and Gideon, with soft pink flowers shaded rose, are among the dainty pink ones. Some of the lavenders, too, are very charming, but they should be chosen from plants in bloom, for some that are called lavender and lilac are often dull purplish in colour. The pink shades, too, may have just sufficient magenta in them to make them that unfortunate shade known as flannelette pink. Phloxes like the cool richness of heavy soil that has been well worked up. Deep digging and a generous supply of decayed garden rubbish are essential to them. Once planted, they may be left undisturbed for many years, and so it pays one to give them a good start. Even when putting in a small plant a wide deep hole should be made, and into the bottom of it cinders and coarse rubbish may be put for drainage. If the soil is very heavy it should be well mixed with decayed garden rubbish and grit (such as coarse sand or road scrapings), and, if possible, decayed cow manure, before being put bask into the hole.' This should then be trodden firm before the plant is put in. During the growing season weak liquid manure should be .given, and thorough waterings. If, when the plants are cut back in the autumn, they can be covered with a mulch of cow manure, fine heads of ’ bloom will be certain for the following season.

The first woman to become a company director .was elected in 1838 as director of a bank.